Say hello to Fry Fest!!!

White pants, check. Sun glasses, check. Mustache . . . not right this minute. Give me a day or two.

From Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Hayden Fry Way & FRY FEST 2009

The Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), The University of Iowa, and City of Coralville along with the Iowa City/Coralville Area Hospitality Association are pleased to announce a proclamation and new festival honoring longtime Iowa Football Coach Hayden Fry.

Hayden Fry Way

The City of Coralville will issue a proclamation, at their March 10, 2009 mtg, co-naming First Avenue (between I-80 and Hwy 6) in Coralville as Hayden Fry Way. This ceremonial addition will have no impact on First Avenue business addresses.

Hayden Fry Way/First Avenue is the most heavily traveled stretch of road in Johnson County and serves as the gateway for Kinnick bound Iowa football fans. It is also the stretch of road Hayden took every day for 20 years to his office.

Hayden Fry Way will be unveiled publicly at a special ceremony with Coach Fry on September 4, 2009 at 10:00AM. Hayden celebrated his 80th birthday this past Saturday and 2009 marks the 10thAnniversary of his retirement as Iowa’s winningest football coach.

FRY FEST 2009

FRY FEST 2009 will be a new, annual, weekend festival in celebration of the Hawkeyes. The festival will be named in honor of Coach Hayden Fry; be coordinated with unveiling of Hayden Fry Way/First Avenue signage; and will occur, annually, on the Friday before each first Iowa home football game. This year, FRY FEST will take place on September 4, 2009 and include:

World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow & Tailgate Party

The 30,000 sq ft exhibition hall of the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will be transformed into a Hawkeye showcase. Booths will be reserved for Hawkeye retailers, licensees, and other related groups. E.g., the Varsity Club will have a booth and fans will be able to meet the 2009 Hall of Fame class. Fans and attendees will be able to meet & greet a host of former and current student athlete, coaches, and media personalities. This event, along with attendance to the Hayden Fry Way ceremony will be free and open to the public.

Pep Rally , Concert

On the evening of September 4, the Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB and Coralville 4 Fest Committee will host a pep rally and major concert just north of the Coralville Marriott in the Iowa River Landing. This event will be a ticketed event with an expected per ticket cost not to exceed $10. The City of Coralville will offer, free, overnight parking in the Iowa River Landing on the nights of Thursday, September 3and Friday, September 4. More details on this and any/all other activities will be available in the coming weeks at http://www.FRYFEST.com or by calling the Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB at 800.283.6592.

Hayden Fry is carried off the field and nearly to Ciudad Juarez after the Hawkeyes whupped Washington, 38-18, in the 1995 Sun Bowl.